Jammin Challenge III

Jake Nannery, Silver Bullet,
Andrea Desmond, and Sea of Misinformation
at Hard Rock Cafe Seattle

Thursday, November 29, 2012
Brienna McWade

If you missed tonight's Seattle WAVE Radio's show at the Hard Rock Cafe Seattle, put it on your calendar for next year! Tweet Drive (Operation Social Santa) / Jammin Challenge III was and amazing night of music, of meeting new friends, and helping a great organization dedicated to foster kids--Treehouse. As the night progressed, Tweet Drive 2012 became a trending topic on Twitter in Seattle! Search #TweetDrive2012 to find out what everyone was saying. So don't miss next year's event!

What originally started off as a college student’s humanitarian project in 2010 with a mere 5 weeks to plan, Treehouse Holiday Tweet Drive has morphed into a large-scale community effort to support foster children and their needs during the holidays. This year marked Treehouse for Kids’ 3rd Annual TweetDrive hosted by Seattle Night Out and Seattle Wave Radio at Seattle’s Hard Rock Café on November 29th.

In conjunction with the holiday gift donation benefit and awareness effort, four local bands competed in the final leg of an 16-week battle-of-the-band competition in front of a live voting audience, as well as Judges from the Seattle music scene. The Judges also gave each band constructive feedback after their performance.

The night kicked off with Pacific Northwest band Sea of Misinformation, led by Oregon lead singer Ryan Griffin. Offering up a sound of old-school rock with pop energy, this band is a great one to see live as their online recordings do not do the group justice. This group of 5 set the bar for the tone of the night – they are surely a positive addition to your local rock list of bands to see while you can. I recommend their self-titled Sea of Information for a great example of this band’s sound and direction.

Next up in the night was Jake Nannery, a seasoned professional with a gravelly voice of someone much older; he’s travelled the globe playing his guitar to the tune of Ray Lamontagne and a tad Johnny Cash. This local is destined for greatness as he can command a crowd with his lively shows. Using the momentum built off the opening band, Nannery and friends continued the upbeat rock vibe with a kicked up addition to include a trombone and upright bass and ending out the set with a rousing rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In.

Not to be outdone, Silver Bullet came to the stage with their head-banging, all out rocking sound that many hard rock fans will identify with. This band, led by James Teixeria, has mastered their classic rock sound and I heard some on the crowd suggest a similarity to Pantera and AC/DC. With each band playing their own sound, it may seem unfair for this band to have followed a more acoustic-based sound, but after further listening to their music outside of the venue, they are likeable on their own as long as you know what you are in for. They’ll make your ears bleed – in the true rock way it’s intended.

Last but not least was highly acclaimed local singer/songwriter Andrea Desmond. With an introduction rattling off the many awards her music has won as well as such clout as having worked with Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, the bar was set impossibly high. This indie pop sweetheart packs a large performance in her 5-foot frame. You’ve likely heard her sound in similar artists like Tori Amos or Sara Bareilles and although a popular sound for sure, it’s possible this wasn’t the right venue for her. As a start, her dancing around the stage, while spirited, could have impacted the clarity of her vocals. As her set continued, the smooth silky sound she’s known for found its way back to the audience and she solidly closed out the night at the keyboard showing her true talents.

With a full night of music and varied sound, the Jammin’ Challenge audience had a tough competition on their hands which proved itself as each band’s finishing placement was determined by on a handful of votes. In the end, Jake Nannery won out and can next be seen in January. The Jammin’ Challenge winner receives the opportunity and exposure to play at The Neptune Theater on January 20, 2013 for the Play It Forward III concert for Music Aid Northwest and gains the bonus of playing with music legends such as Alan White of YES as well as founding members of Heart. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. Use the code Linda until Dec. 31st for $15.00 off the GA price!